Pensioners ask PM for answers on budget

Rumours the age pension will being targeted in the federal budget are causing worry amongst older Australians and a seniors advocacy group has appealed to Tony Abbott for answers.

The Council on the Ageing (COTA) wants an urgent meeting with the prime minister as speculation mounts the federal government could hike the retirement age or tinker with the assets test in the May 13 budget.

COTA Australia president Ian Yates said the flurry of pre-budget speculation in the past fortnight had prompted a flood of calls from concerned older Australians.

"It puts a lot of people on edge," Mr Yates told AAP on Tuesday.

"We have people concerned that they were going to lose their home, or they'd have to reverse mortgage it, when they're having trouble making ends meet anyway."

In the letter, Mr Yates reminded Mr Abbott he had pledged not to make changes to pensions in the lead up to the September election.

But recent comments by Treasurer Joe Hockey about the unsustainability of the age pension system had "brought this commitment into question".

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Mr Yates said 1.5 million Australians relied almost entirely on the pension for income, and although it may seem an easy target any changes could have budgetary implications in areas like health, housing and unemployment.

He said no consultation had been offered, and given it was such a complex policy area it was time the experts got round the table to discuss the best way forward.

The prime minister's office has been contacted to confirm whether or not the letter has been received.